When seekers, moved by their own will, turn to Agni for strength and support—just as they would to the Maruts—they do so for joy and fulfillment, for Agni truly apportions gifts and wealth as is proper. He stands as our protector, shielding us from evil, curses, and harm. The universal benefactor, Agni, holds all delight in his right hand; his glory never fails. Among the gods, oblations are prepared for him, offerings are brought for his sake. For those who act well, Agni opens the path and the doors. In human gatherings, Agni is the most auspicious presence, established as the lord of sacrifice and beloved by all. He presides over the offerings made with reverence, protecting us from the binding yoke of Varuṇa, the great god. People seek Agni as their priest, the giver of wealth, ever dear and active, appointing him as the carrier of their offerings. The gods themselves have set him in this role—all-knowing, all-wise, the worshipful sage, bestower of wealth and delight, invoked with songs for help. Turning now to Indra, he is the guide who, like a charioteer, brings even the distant seeker near, leading him unharmed to wisdom and the desired goal. He makes both mind and steed obedient, and the wise hope that their faultless speech may be counted among the wise. In every battle, Indra is called upon for aid and victory, for he wins with heroes and sages; the lords grant him the prize, strong and swift as a well-bred steed. Indra fills his worshipers with strength and covers them with glory, protecting mortals and bestowing gifts not only on himself but also on Rudra, Mitra, Varuṇa, and the gracious one. To these deities, the song is raised. May Indra be our strength, our ever-victorious friend in all contests. Let our prayers bring his help, for no enemy overcomes him—he subdues every foe. With the most powerful and fierce prayers, worshipers call upon Indra to bow down all hostility, wherever it arises. They ask him to lead as before, to remove all ancestral offenses, and, together with Agni, to come to their aid. The poet now proclaims Indra’s glory: his praise, like a sharp arrow, shakes the demons. May Indra himself strike down enemies and evil-minded ones, causing them to melt away like water. Through priesthood and inspired wisdom, may wealth and heroic power be won; may ill-minded ones be turned to good counsel, and Indra’s favor be sought with true, glorious invocations. Indra, with his own aids, brings distinction, scattering the assemblies of the evil-minded and destroying those who approach with harm, so that the hostile are struck down and cannot rise again. Indra, with unfailing wealth, goes before his followers, clearing the path and driving away demons. He protects from afar and near, always guarding his people. With his greatness, he subdues the mighty and is seen as a true friend and savior. He guides the chariot, ensuring that harm falls not on his own but on those who wish them ill. Indra is the well-praised protector, always driving away the evil-minded. He is the slayer of evil, the guardian of the inspired, never abandoning those who worship him. The creator has begotten him as the slayer of demons and the benefactor of all. Indra is invoked from afar, like a true lord coming to the assembly, like the sun returning at sunset. Worshipers, eager for the prize, call to him with pressed Soma, as sons call to a father for strength. Indra is urged to drink the Soma, poured out like a thirsty calf at the udder, for his intoxication, delight, and might. The bay steeds bring him, as all gods bring the sun. Indra found the hidden treasure in the sky, the embryo of truth enveloped by stone. Longing for the herds, he, like the Aṅgirases, dispelled the darkness and opened the closed doors of the treasure. With the thunderbolt in his hands, Indra struck down the serpent, splitting him as one splits wood with an axe, expanding in might and power. He let the rivers flow freely, sending them toward the ocean like racing chariots. By his guidance, they move together toward their goal, giving their bounty to all people as cows yield milk for Manu. Poets, desiring wealth, shape their praises for Indra as craftsmen fashion a chariot, adorning him for contests and races, seeking his grace for strength and riches. Indra shattered ninety fortresses for the Purus and Divodāsa, casting down Śambara from the mountain for Atithigva and distributing great wealth. In battles, he protected the noble worshiper, ever victorious, shining in contests where the prize is light. He upheld the law, blinded the skin of the black one for Manu, and never failed to fulfill desires. The sun, born with great power, set the wheel in motion, sending forth speech at the beginning. When Uśanā came from afar for help, Indra granted all blessings to Manu, as Turvaṇa did for all. Indra is praised with new hymns for his heroic deeds, his guardianship and strength ever sought. With the Divodāsas, he grows in greatness, like the sky with each passing day. For Indra, the mighty sky bows down and the great earth expands with gifts of glory. All the gods, united, place Indra at the forefront, and all human offerings are made to him. At every sacrifice, he is harnessed like a strong bull, each seeking his own desire. Priests seek Indra with hymns, placing him at the yoke of contests, desiring his favor. Three pairs of helpers spread Indra out as the winner of the herd, the releaser of cattle. When two peoples seek cows and light, Indra reveals his mighty thunderbolt. The Purus remember his heroic deeds—how he overthrew forts and subdued mortals who did not sacrifice, heating the earth and measuring out the waters with delight. From the beginning, Indra’s heroic deeds have been praised. In his exhilaration, he aided the Usijs, making a channel for them in battle, mingling rivers for their fame. May the dawn be pleased and mindful of the hymn and offering, bringing light. When Indra is eager to strike down the foe, he listens to the newest song. Indra, growing strong for his people, strikes down the unfriendly with his thunderbolt, destroying those who harm, ensuring a safe journey and keeping evil thoughts far away. With Indra’s generous aid, his followers seek to overcome in battle and win the prize in sacrifice. Indra brings the prize to the seeker of the sun, the one desiring the wealth of dawn, and the one seeking riches at home. He is famed for striking down Arbuda, and his blessings are sought by the good. Indra’s ancient bounty, his gift of immortality in sacrifice, is declared for all to see. He knows the way to the cows among his kin. His deeds are spoken of anew—how he opened the enclosure for the Angirases, granting a common share and fighting for his people, driving away the lawless and angry from the Soma-pressers. Indra watches over those who strive for wealth and fame, granting long life and offspring to the strong worshiper. The inspired thoughts of the gods and humans alike turn toward Indra’s dwelling. Indra, with Parvata, stands at the forefront with weapons, driving away attackers in battle, striking down raised foes with the thunderbolt, casting them into deep abysses if they have done harm. He surrounds and utterly scatters all enemies. With truth, the worshiper purifies heaven and earth, burning away deceits and destroying the mighty. Where enemies are struck down, hostile dwellings are shattered and strongholds collapse. With his mighty force, Indra, the stone-wielder, strikes the heads of those who intend harm, cutting them down with his sharp foot. Thus, through all these deeds and praises, the might and beneficence of Agni and Indra are celebrated, their protection invoked, their victories recounted, their blessings earnestly sought by gods and mortals alike.